TWI762733B - Latching control valve assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A control valve having a valve body, seat member, valve member, and solenoid including a housing, bobbin, and coil. The valve member has a head portion disposed within the bobbin and a valve portion, disposed within the valve body, that has a seat engagement member operating to open and close ports in the valve body when the valve member slides between first and second positions. A permanent magnet, disposed within the bobbin, applies an attractive force of variable magnitude to the valve member in a direction opposing a biasing force created by a biasing component. Pulses of electric current applied to the coil change the variable magnitude. The permanent magnet pulls the valve member to the second position when the attractive force is greater than the biasing force and the valve member returns to the first position when the attractive force is less than the biasing force.

Description

Latch Control Valve Assembly [Cross-reference to related applications]

This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 62/576,257, filed October 24, 2017. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to control valve assemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to self-locking solenoid actuated valve assemblies that can be used in a variety of applications, including but not limited to pneumatics.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Solenoids are well known electromechanical devices used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, particularly into short-stroke mechanical motion. Therefore, for a long time, solenoids have been used to drive valves in response to electrical signals. For example, it is known in the prior art to use a solenoid to move a valve member in the actuation direction against the biasing force of a return spring. When power is supplied to the coil in the solenoid, a magnetic field is generated in the solenoid, moving the valve member from the rest position to the actuated position. When power to the electromagnet is interrupted, the return spring biases the valve member back to the rest position. The disadvantage of this approach, however, is that the solenoid coil must remain powered at all times to hold the valve member against the biasing force of the return spring. Hold in the actuated position. Undesirable, inadvertent, or even planned interruption of power to the coil can cause the valve member to return to the rest position, whether or not this is desired. In applications where the power consumption of the solenoid needs to be considered, such as where there is a limited source of power (eg, a battery powered valve), a solenoid that must be continuously powered to hold the valve member in the actuated position is not ideal of. In addition, significant heat build-up can occur in the solenoid that must be continuously powered to hold the valve member in the actuated position.

In order to reduce power consumption and heat build-up of the solenoid, especially in applications where the solenoid is to be held in the actuated position for a long time, permanent magnets (PM) have been used when there is no need for the solenoid The solenoid's mechanical output is held in one position or another while the coil is continuously powered. Conventional self-locking solenoids known in the prior art typically employ sliding pins and stationary permanent magnets, which can be latched or unlatched by current pulses. Current flowing through the solenoid coil in one direction increases (ie, enhances) the attractive force of the permanent magnet and causes the permanent magnet to repel the pusher and push the pusher toward the valve member against the biasing force of the return spring. The return spring biases the valve member in the opposite direction when current flows through the coil of the solenoid in the opposite direction that reduces (ie, weakens) the attractive force of the permanent magnet. In this way, the valve member can be moved to and held in any predetermined position by actuating the solenoid after a relatively short current pulse has flowed through the coil of the solenoid. After the attraction force of the permanent magnet increases (ie increases) or decreases (ie weakens), power can be cut off and the valve member will remain in its current position, whether the current position is the actuated or resting position. Although self-locking solenoid-actuated valves are known in the prior art, there is still a need for improvements in self-locking solenoid-actuated valves. This is especially true for small pneumatic valves.

This section provides a general overview of the invention, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all features.

The inventive subject matter describes an improved latching control valve assembly. The latch control valve assembly has a solenoid including a housing, a spool, and a coil. A bobbin is provided within the housing, and the coil bobbin extends. The housing extends longitudinally between the first housing end and the second housing end, and the spool defines a solenoid bore extending along the longitudinal axis. The latch control valve assembly also includes a valve body, a valve seat member, and a valve member. A valve body extends longitudinally from the first housing end of the solenoid. The valve body defines a valve body bore, and the valve seat member is disposed within the valve body bore. The valve member has a head portion slidably disposed within the solenoid bore and a valve portion slidably disposed within the valve body bore. The valve portion of the valve member has a valve seat engagement member extending outwardly to engage the valve seat member during sliding movement of the valve member within the solenoid bore and the valve body bore. The valve member slides within the solenoid bore and the valve body bore between a first position in which the valve seat engaging member is displaced away from the first housing end of the solenoid, and a second position in which the valve seat engagement member is displaced away from the first housing end of the solenoid, and a second position position, the valve seat engagement member is displaced toward the first housing end of the solenoid. The valve body includes port faces. The valve seat engagement member operates to open and close one or more ports in the port face of the valve body when the valve member is longitudinally slid between the first position and the second position. The biasing member operates to apply a biasing force to the valve member. The biasing force biases the valve member toward the first position. A permanent magnet is disposed at least partially within the solenoid bore. The permanent magnet has a magnetic field and operates to apply an attractive force to the valve member. The attractive force created by the permanent magnet is directed towards the second housing end of the solenoid such that the attractive force of the permanent magnet opposes the biasing force of the biasing member. inside the solenoid hole Pole shoes are also provided. A pole piece is positioned in the solenoid bore and longitudinally positioned between the permanent magnet and the head of the valve member. The attractive force of a permanent magnet has a variable value. When the coil of the solenoid receives a current pulse of a specific polarity, the variable value of the attractive force created by the permanent magnet changes. When the variable value of the attractive force of the permanent magnet is greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, the attractive force operates to displace the valve member towards the second position. On the other hand, when the variable amount of the attractive force is smaller than the biasing force of the biasing member, the biasing force of the biasing member operates to displace the valve member toward the first position. This is accomplished by reversing the polarity of the current pulses applied to the coils of the solenoid.

The attractive force of the permanent magnets in the latching control valve assembly of the present invention acts on the valve member itself, pulling the valve member towards the pole piece. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for a sliding push of conventional self-locking solenoid actuated valves. The inventive subject matter also eliminates the need to locate the biasing member at the distal end of the valve body, thereby reducing the length of the valve body. This means that the latching control valve assembly of the present invention requires a shallower cavity in the valve manifold in which the latching control valve assembly is mounted, thereby providing a more compact and efficient space utilization. At the same time, the latching control valve assembly of the present invention retains the advantages associated with self-latching solenoid-actuated valves, including significantly reduced power consumption and heat build-up compared to conventional solenoid-actuated valves. This makes the latching control valve assembly of the present invention suitable as a candidate for battery powered applications and/or applications where the solenoid must hold the valve member in the actuated position for extended periods of time.

20: Locking control valve assembly

22: Solenoid

24: Shell

26: Spool

28: Coil

30: First housing end

32: Second housing end

34: outer surface

36: inner surface

38: Solenoid hole

40: Longitudinal axis

42: Winding

44: point

46: End cap

48: Snap element

50: Opening

52: Electrical connector

54: The first terminal

56: Second terminal

58: valve body

60: Proximal

62: Remote

64: Body hole

66: Aperture

68a, 68b: valve seat member

70: Inner diameter

72: Seals

74: Valve member

76: Outer surface

78: Head

80: valve part

82: Seat engagement member

84: outer diameter

86: First Piston

88: Second Piston

90: Annular groove

92: Elastomeric Piston Seal

94: port face

96: first port

98: second port

100: The third port

102: First fluid flow path

104: Second fluid flow path

106: Cavity

108: Valve Manifold

110: O-ring

112: Bushing

114: Flange part

116: Neck

118: Offset parts

120: Bias force

122: Permanent magnet

124: inner end

126: Outer end

128: Attraction

130: pole shoes

132: First End

134: Second End

136: Gap

138: Female thread

140: male thread

142: Tool engagement interface

144: South Pole

146: North Pole

148: Control circuit

150: First electrical lead

152: Second electrical lead

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily understood because the present invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings Bright.

1 is a side view of an exemplary latching control valve assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary latch control valve assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

3 is a front view of the example lockout control valve assembly shown in FIG. 1 and an example valve manifold for receiving the example lockout control valve assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

4 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary latch control valve assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the valve member shown in a first position.

5 is another side cross-sectional view of the exemplary latch control valve assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the valve member shown in a second position.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, the latching control valve assembly 20 is illustrated.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those of ordinary skill in the art to which this case pertains. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the invention. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is used to describe certain example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" can include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising", "comprising", "containing" and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components and/or parts, but do not exclude one or more The presence or addition of other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts and/or groups thereof, etc. Unless the order of execution is specifically stated, method steps, procedures, and operations described herein are not to be construed as requiring performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When a component or layer is referred to as being "on," "joined," "connected," or "coupled" to another component or layer, it can be directly on the other component or layer, it can be directly joined , connected, or coupled to another component or layer, or intervening components or layers may be present. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly on," "directly joined," "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another component or layer, there may be no intervening components or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between components should be interpreted in a similar fashion (eg, "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus " directly adjacent", etc.). As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items.

Although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various components, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these components, components, regions, layers and/or sections are not shall be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish one component, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first component, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second component, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially related terms such as "inside", "outside", "inside", "outside", "below", "below", "below", "above", "upper", "near", "far" ", "inside", "outside", etc., may be used herein as a convenience to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated. In addition to the orientations depicted in the figures, spatially relative terms may also be used to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can include an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein interpreted accordingly. The terms "longitudinal" and "longitudinal" refer to alignment in a direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis described below. The terms "threadedly engaged" and "threadedly engaged" describe an interface between two components in which male and female threads cooperate and hold the two components together.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , the latching control valve assembly 20 of the present invention includes a solenoid 22 . The solenoid 22 has a housing 24 , a spool 26 and a coil 28 . The bobbin 26 is arranged in the housing 24, and the coil 28 is arranged radially between the bobbin 26 and the between the housings 24 . The housing 24 of the solenoid 22 extends longitudinally between the first housing end 30 and the second housing end 32 . The spool 26 includes an outer surface 34 and an inner surface 36 . The inner surface 36 of the spool 26 defines a solenoid bore 38 extending along the longitudinal axis 40 . The coil 28 includes windings 42 formed from wires extending from the outer surface 34 of the bobbin 26 . In the illustrated embodiment, when viewed from a point 44 disposed adjacent to the second housing end 32 along the longitudinal axis 40 (ie, when viewing the solenoid 22 from above as shown in FIG. 2 ) , the windings 42 of the coil 28 are wound on the bobbin 26 in a clockwise direction. It should be understood that the coil 28 may be wound in a counterclockwise direction on the bobbin 26, however, other corresponding changes to the latch control valve assembly 20 will have to be made, as will be described below. The wires of the winding 42 can be made of a variety of different materials. By way of example and not limitation, the wires of the winding 42 may be made of enamelled copper (Cu). It should also be understood that the housing 24 and spool 26 may have various shapes without departing from the scope of the present invention. As a non-limiting example, the housing 24 and spool 26 may be generally cylindrical in shape, as shown.

The latch control valve assembly 20 shown in FIGS. 1-5 includes an end cap 46 that is retained on the second housing end 32 of the solenoid 22 . The end cap 46 may be secured to the housing 24 of the solenoid 22 in a variety of different ways. In the illustrated example, the end cap 46 is secured to the second housing end 32 of the solenoid 22 by means of snap elements 48 . The snap element 48 has a ramp shape and snaps into the opening 50 of the end cap 46 to hold the end cap 46 in place. The latch control valve assembly 20 also includes at least two electrical connectors 52 that are electrically connected to the coil 28 of the solenoid 22 . For example, the at least two electrical connectors 52 described above may include a first terminal 54 and a second terminal 56 . The first terminal 54 and the second terminal 56 may have There are various shapes and configurations. In the example shown, the first terminal 54 and the second terminal 56 are conductive pins that extend longitudinally outward from the second housing end 32 and through the end cap 46 .

The latch control valve assembly 20 also includes a valve body 58 . The valve body 58 extends longitudinally from the first housing end 30 and has a proximal end 60 , a distal end 62 and a length L measurable between the proximal end 60 and the distal end 62 of the valve body 58 . The proximal end 60 of the valve body 58 is disposed adjacent the first housing end 30 and the distal end 62 of the valve body 58 is longitudinally spaced from the first housing end 30 . The proximal end 60 of the valve body 58 is attached to the first housing end 30 of the solenoid 22 . By way of example and not limitation, the proximal end 60 of the valve body 58 may threadably engage the first housing end 30 of the solenoid 22 .

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the valve body 58 defines a valve body bore 64 that is oriented coaxially with the longitudinal axis 40 of the solenoid bore 38 . The valve body bore 64 has an aperture 66 extending across the valve body bore 64 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 40 . One or more valve seat members 68a, 68b are disposed within the valve body bore 64 . In the illustrated example, the valve seat members 68a, 68b extend into and threadably engage the valve body bore 64, although other configurations are possible. The valve seat members 68a, 68b may be cylindrical and have an inner diameter 70 extending across the valve seat members 68a, 68b in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 40 . The valve seat members 68a, 68b may also include seals 72 that seal the valve seat members 68a, 68b within the valve body bore 64 to prevent fluid leakage to the valve body between the valve seat members 68a, 68b and the valve body 58 inside hole 64.

The latch control valve assembly 20 includes a valve member 74 oriented coaxially with the longitudinal axis 40 . The valve member 74 has an outer surface 76 , a head 78 and a valve portion 80 . As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the valve member 74 is a one-piece component, wherein the valve member The head 78 of the member 74 and the valve portion 80 are integral with each other. The head 78 is slidably disposed within the solenoid bore 38 and the valve portion 80 is slidably disposed within the valve body bore 64 such that the valve member 74 can be moved between a first position ( FIG. 4 ) and a second position ( FIG. 5 ) Pan longitudinally. At the head 78 , the outer surface 76 of the valve member 74 faces the inner surface 36 of the spool 26 and is arranged in a sliding fit with the inner surface 36 of the spool 26 . Alternatively, the outer surface 76 of the valve member 74 may have a cylindrical shape at the head 78 .

The valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 includes a valve seat engagement member 82 that extends radially outward to engage the valve seat members 68a, 68b during sliding movement of the valve member 74 within the valve body bore 64 . The valve seat engaging member 82 may have a circular cross-sectional shape and may define an outer diameter 84 spanning the valve seat engaging member 82 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 40 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the valve seat engagement member 82 is displaced away from the first housing end 30 of the solenoid 22 when the valve member 74 is slid to the first position. As shown in FIG. 5 , the valve seat engagement member 82 is displaced toward the first housing end 30 of the solenoid 22 when the valve member 74 is slid to the second position. The valve seat engagement member 82 may be made of a variety of different materials. For example, and without limitation, at least a portion of the valve seat engagement member 82 may be formed from a resilient material such as rubber. The valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 may also have various shapes. For example, the valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 may have a poppet valve shape (shown) or a spool valve shape (not shown). When the valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 is configured as a poppet valve, the outer diameter 84 of the valve seat engaging member 82 is larger than the inner diameter 70 of the valve seat members 68a, 68b. When the valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 is configured as a spool valve, the outer diameter 84 of the valve seat engaging member 82 is approximately equal to the inner diameter 70 of the valve seat members 68a, 68b.

The valve portion 80 of the valve member 74 may also include a first piston 86 adjacent the distal end 62 of the valve body 58 and a second piston 88 adjacent the proximal end 60 of the valve body 58 . The first piston 86 and the second piston 88 operate to seal the valve seat members 68a, 68b. Alternatively, the first piston 86 and the second piston 88 may have substantially equal diameters such that the pressurized fluid acting oppositely on the first piston 86 and the second piston 88 results in a balanced pressure on the valve member 74 . This configuration is sometimes described as a pressure balancing valve. Each of the first piston 86 and the second piston 88 may include an annular groove 90 and a resilient piston seal 92 disposed in the annular groove 90 slidably with a tight tolerance fit and sealingly engages the valve seat members 68a, 68b to prevent fluid leakage into the valve body bore 64 between the first and second pistons 86 and 88 and the valve seat members 68a, 68b.

The valve body 58 includes a port face 94 , a first port 96 , a second port 98 and a third port 100 . The first port 96 extends through the valve body 58 from the valve body bore 64 to the port face 94 and is positioned within the valve body 58 adjacent the distal end 62 . The second port 98 extends through the valve body 58 from the valve body bore 64 to the port face 94 and is positioned longitudinally between the first port 96 and the third port 100 . The third port 100 extends through the valve body 58 from the valve body bore 64 to the port face 94 and is positioned within the valve body 58 adjacent the proximal end 60 . The first port 96 and the third port 100 are longitudinally positioned on opposite sides of the valve seat engaging member 82 of the valve member 74 . When the valve member 74 is in the first position ( FIG. 4 ), the valve seat engaging member 82 contacts and seals the valve seat member 68a to close the first port 96 and open the third port 100 . Thus, when the valve member 74 is in the first position, a first fluid flow path 102 is formed in which fluid can pass from the second port 98 to the third port Flow through the valve body bore 64 at 100 or from the third port 100 to the second port 98 . When the valve member 74 is in the second position ( FIG. 5 ), the valve seat engaging member 82 contacts and seals the valve seat member 68b to open the first port 96 and close the third port 100 . Thus, when the valve member 74 is in the second position, a second fluid flow path 104 is formed in which fluid can flow through the valve body from the first port 96 to the second port 98 or from the second port 98 to the first port 96 hole 64.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the port face 94 of the valve body 58 is configured to be received within the cavity 106 of the valve manifold 108 . In the example shown, the valve body 58 is threadedly engaged within the cavity 106 of the valve manifold 108, however, the valve body 58 may be secured to the valve manifold 108 by alternative structures. The valve body 58 may also include an o-ring 110 that seals the valve body 58 within the cavity 106 of the valve manifold 108 to prevent fluid leakage into the cavity 106 between the valve body 58 and the valve manifold 108 . The valve manifold 108 may include one or more fluid passages (not shown) that communicate fluid to or from the first port 96 , the second port 98 and the third port 100 in the valve body 58 The first port 96, the second port 98 and the third port 100 of the fluid are conveyed out. For example and without limitation, the valve manifold 108 may be configured such that the first port 96 in the valve body 58 operates as an inlet port for receiving fluid, the second port 98 operates as an outlet port for discharging fluid, and the third port 100 operates as a Also the outlet port for draining the liquid.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the latch control valve assembly 20 may also include a bushing 112 disposed within the housing 24 of the solenoid 22 . The bushing 112 may include a flange portion 114 positioned within the first housing end 30 and a neck 116 extending into the solenoid bore 38 such that the neck 116 is positioned radially within the valve Between the head 78 of the member 74 and the spool 26 . Although other configurations It is possible, but in the example shown, the flange portion 114 of the bushing 112 is threadably engaged with the first housing end 30 and the neck 116 of the bushing 112 is cylindrical. The latch control valve assembly 20 also includes a biasing member 118 positioned longitudinally between the second piston 88 of the valve member 74 and the flange portion 114 of the bushing 112 . The biasing member 118 operates to apply a biasing force 120 to the valve member 74 . The biasing force 120 created by the biasing member 118 is directed toward the distal end 62 of the valve body 58, thereby biasing the valve member 74 toward the first position. While the biasing member 118 may take several forms, in the example shown, the biasing member 118 is a compression spring that extends helically/annularly about the head 78 of the valve member 74 .

The latch control valve assembly 20 also includes a permanent magnet 122 disposed within the second housing end 32 of the solenoid 22 . The permanent magnet 122 has an inner end 124 facing the head 78 of the valve member 74 and an outer end 126 facing the end cap 46 . In the illustrated example, the permanent magnet 122 is disposed entirely within the solenoid bore 38 ; however, in other embodiments, the permanent magnet 122 may only extend partially into the solenoid bore 38 such that a portion of the permanent magnet 122 Outside the solenoid hole 38 . In operation, the permanent magnet 122 , sometimes abbreviated PM, can selectively generate a magnetic field and apply an attractive force 128 to the valve member 74 . The attractive force 128 created by the permanent magnet 122 is directed towards the second housing end 32 of the solenoid 22 such that the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 opposes the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118 .

The latch control valve assembly 20 also includes a pole piece 130 disposed within the solenoid bore 38 and positioned longitudinally between the inner end 124 of the permanent magnet 122 and the head 78 of the valve member 74 . The pole piece 130 extends longitudinally between a first end 132 facing the head 78 of the valve member 74 and a second end 134 abutting the inner end 124 of the permanent magnet 122 . The magnetic field of the permanent magnet 122 holds the permanent magnet 122 abuts the pole piece 130 . Thus, during operation of the latch control valve assembly 20, the contact between the second end 134 of the pole piece 130 and the inner end 124 of the permanent magnet 122 remains constant. In other words, the permanent magnet 122 does not move longitudinally relative to the pole piece 130 during operation of the latch control valve assembly 20 . However, when the longitudinal position of the pole piece 130 is adjusted in the manner explained below, the permanent magnet 122 moves longitudinally with respect to the bobbin 26 along with the pole piece 130 .

When the valve member 74 is in the first position ( FIG. 4 ), the head 78 of the valve member 74 and the first end 132 of the pole piece 130 are longitudinally spaced apart from each other by a gap 136 . When the valve member 74 is in the second position ( FIG. 5 ), the head 78 of the valve member 74 moves to a position closest to the first end 132 of the pole piece 130 such that the gap 136 is minimized or reduced. The size of the gap 136 is critical to the performance of the solenoid 22 . The adjustment of the pole piece 130 provided by the subject design of the present invention advantageously enables the gap 136 to be set for optimum performance. The pole piece 130 is arranged in threaded engagement with the spool 26 to provide adjustable longitudinal positioning of the pole piece 130 relative to the head 78 of the valve member 74 . The inner surface 36 of the bobbin 26 has female threads 138 and the pole piece 130 has male threads 140 adjacent the first end 132 of the pole piece 130 . The male threads 140 of the pole piece 130 threadably engage the female threads 138 of the bobbin 26 such that relative rotation of the pole piece 130 within the solenoid bore 38 of the bobbin 26 displaces the pole piece 130 longitudinally. Rotation of the pole piece 130 within the solenoid bore 38 of the bobbin 26 changes the gap 136 that exists between the head 78 of the valve member 74 and the first end 132 of the pole piece 130 when the valve member 74 is in the first position. To facilitate adjustment of the longitudinal position of the pole piece 130 within the solenoid bore 38 , the second end 134 of the pole piece 130 may optionally include a tool engagement interface 142 . The pole piece 130 is made of a material from which the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 122 extends to surround at least a portion of the head 78 of the valve member 74 . lift By way of example and not limitation, pole piece 130 may be made of nickel plated AISI 12L14 carbon steel or AISI 430F stainless steel.

The attractive force 128 produced by the permanent magnet 122 has a variable magnitude (ie, the strength and/or direction of the attractive force 128 exerted by the permanent magnet 122 on the head 78 of the valve member 74 is variable). In operation, the coil 28 of the solenoid 22 receives current pulses. The variable magnitude of the attractive force 128 produced by the permanent magnet 122 changes in response to the pulse and polarity of the current through the coil 28 of the solenoid 22 . Once the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 is increased (ie, enhanced) by the current pulse through the coil 28, the increased magnitude of the attractive force 128 created by the permanent magnet 122 will move the valve member 74 and the head 78 is positioned closest to the pole piece 130 to reduce the gap 136 sufficiently so that when the current pulse ceases and the attractive force 128 decreases, there is sufficient residual attractive force 128 from the permanent magnet 122 to hold the valve member 74 at second position. This residual attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 can be further reduced by applying reverse current pulses to the coil 28 . The coercivity of the material forming the permanent magnet 122 must be such that the material's magnetic field responds to current pulses sent through the coil 28 of the solenoid 22 . While several materials may be used for the permanent magnet 122, in one non-limiting example, the permanent magnet 122 is made of neodymium (Nd). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the permanent magnet 122 in the illustrated example has a south pole 144 at the inner end 124 and a north pole 146 at the outer end 126 . Alternatively, the south pole 144 of the permanent magnet 122 may be located at the outer end 126 and the north pole 146 may be located at the inner end 124, but this modification would require the direction in which the winding 42 bobbin 26 is wound and/or the current pulse. The control method is changed accordingly. make it different from the control method provided below.

When the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 is greater than the bias The attractive force 128 displaces the valve member 74 toward the second position (FIG. 5) when the biasing force 120 of the positioning member 118 is applied. On the other hand, when the variable amount of attractive force 128 is less than the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118, the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118 displaces the valve member 74 toward the first position (FIG. 4). In other words, when the attractive force 128 generated by the permanent magnet 122 is strong enough to overcome the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118, the permanent magnet 122 pulls (ie, attracts) the valve member 74 toward itself, moving it from the first position to the second position. Second position. The biasing member 118 returns the valve member 74 to the first position when the attractive force 128 generated by the permanent magnet 122 is weaker than the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118 . The variable amount of attraction force 128 being greater or less than biasing force 120 depends on the polarity of the current pulse through coil 28 of solenoid 22 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the latching control valve assembly 20 may further include a control circuit 148 that is electrically connected to the at least two electrical connectors 52 via a first electrical lead 150 and a second electrical lead 152 . The first electrical lead 150 and the second electrical lead 152 carry current from the control circuit 148 to the two electrical connectors 52 described above, and may take a variety of forms including, but not limited to, wires or conductive traces on a printed circuit board (PCB) Wire. The first electrical lead 150 is electrically connected to the first terminal 54 and the second electrical lead 152 is electrically connected to the second terminal 56 . In operation, the control circuit 148 supplies one or more current pulses to the coil 28 via the first electrical lead 150 and/or the second electrical lead 152 . Exemplary operational control methods are given in Table I below:

The column labeled "red line" in Table I lists the voltage of the current supplied to the first electrical lead 150 . The column labeled "black line" in Table I lists the voltage of the current supplied to the second electrical lead 152 . The column labeled "Flow Path Open" in Table 1 lists the ports between which a fluid flow path exists (ie, is open) within the valve body bore 64, where "1" represents the first port 96, "2" indicates the second port 98, "3" indicates the third port 100, "2-3" indicates the first fluid flow path 102, and "1-2" indicates the second fluid flow path 104. The column labeled "Flow Path Closed" in Table 1 lists ports for which there is no (ie, closed) fluid flow path between these ports within the valve body bore 64, where "1" indicates the first port 96 , "2" indicates the second port 98, "3" indicates the third port 100, "2-3" indicates the first fluid flow path 102, and "1-2" indicates the second fluid flow path 104.

The top row (ie, the first row) in Table I corresponds to the operating state in which the valve member 74 is brought to and held in the second position (FIG. 5). In this operating state, the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 increases in response to the control circuit 148 supplying a positive voltage current pulse to the first electrical lead 150 and a voltage of zero volts to the second electrical lead 152 . This increase in the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 causes the permanent magnet 122 to pull the valve member 74 from the first position to the second position and hold the valve member 74 against the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118 in the second position. In the second position, the valve seat engagement member 82 opens the second fluid flow path 104 between the first port 96 and the second port 98 and closes the first fluid flow path 102 between the second port 98 and the third port 100 . As shown in Table I, the current supplied to the first electrical lead 150 The positive voltage pulse may be, for example, +12 volts direct current (VDC).

The bottom row (ie, the second row) in Table I corresponds to the operating state in which the valve member 74 is returned to the first position (FIG. 4). In this operating state, the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 decreases in response to the control circuit 148 supplying a voltage of zero volts to the first electrical lead 150 and a positive voltage pulse current to the second electrical lead 152 . This reduction in the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 causes the valve member 74 to drop with the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 below the value of the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118 (ie, , becomes weaker than the biasing force 120 of the biasing member 118) and returns to the first position. In the first position, the valve seat engagement member 82 opens the first fluid flow path 102 between the second port 98 and the third port 100 and closes the second fluid flow path 104 between the first port 96 and the second port 98 . As shown in Table I, the positive voltage current pulse supplied to the second electrical lead 152 may be, for example, +12 volts direct current (VDC). It will be appreciated that the variable value of the attractive force 128 of the permanent magnet 122 remains constant when the coil 28 is supplied with current.

In addition to certain materials that have been described for specific components, the components of the latching control valve assembly described above may be fabricated from a variety of different materials, including but not limited to metals, metal alloys, and plastics. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the disclosed latching control valve assembly are possible in light of the above teachings and which may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while remaining within the scope of the appended claims. These prior recitations should be construed to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty functions. As used in the apparatus patent scope, the word "the foregoing" refers to antecedent features, and refers to the exact expression included in the scope of coverage of the patent claim, and the word "the" places before words that are not included in the scope of the claims.

20: Locking control valve assembly

22: Solenoid

24: Shell

30: First housing end

32: Second housing end

46: End cap

48: Snap element

50: Opening

52: Electrical connector

58: valve body

60: Proximal

62: Remote

94: port face

96: first port

98: second port

100: The third port

110: O-ring

Claims (20)

A latching control valve assembly comprising: a solenoid including a housing, a spool disposed within the housing, and a coil extending around the spool; the housing at a first housing end and a second housing extending longitudinally between body ends; aforesaid spool defining a solenoid bore extending along a longitudinal axis; a valve body extending longitudinally from aforesaid first housing end and defining a valve body bore; at least one valve seat member, The aforementioned at least one valve seat member is arranged in the aforementioned valve body hole; the valve member, the aforementioned valve member has a head portion slidably arranged in the aforementioned solenoid hole and a valve portion slidably arranged in the aforementioned valve body hole; the aforementioned valve The aforesaid valve portion of the member has a valve seat engagement member extending outwardly for sliding movement of the valve member between a first position and a second position in the aforesaid solenoid bore and the aforesaid valve body bore engaging the valve seat member during movement, wherein in the first position the valve seat engaging member is displaced away from the first housing end, and in the second position the valve seat engaging member is displaced towards the first housing end the valve body includes a port face, and the valve seat engaging member is operable to open and close the port face of the valve body when the valve member is longitudinally translated between the first position and the second position. one or more ports; a biasing member operable to apply a biasing force to the valve member, the biasing force biasing the valve member towards the first position; a permanent magnet disposed at least partially on the spiral Inside the tube bore, the aforementioned permanent magnet operably applies an attractive force to the aforementioned valve member, the aforementioned attractive force being directed toward the aforementioned second housing end, so that the aforementioned attractive force of the aforementioned permanent magnet opposes the aforementioned biasing force of the aforementioned biasing member; pole piece , said pole piece disposed in said solenoid bore, said pole piece positioned longitudinally between said permanent magnet and said head of said valve member; a control circuit electrically connected to said coil and programmed by designed to send current pulses to said coils; and said permanent magnets are made of a coercive material that provides a magnetic field responsive to the current pulses sent through said coils, in this case, The aforementioned current pulse changes the variable value of the aforementioned attractive force of the aforementioned permanent magnet, and when the aforementioned variable amount of the aforementioned attractive force value is greater than the aforementioned biasing force of the aforementioned biasing member, the aforementioned attractive force of the aforementioned permanent magnet makes the aforementioned valve member operable and when the variable amount of the attractive force is smaller than the biasing force of the biasing member, the biasing force of the biasing member operatively pushes the valve member toward the second position. a location. A latch control valve assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said pole piece is arranged to threadably engage with said bobbin to provide adjustable longitudinal positioning of said pole piece relative to said head of said valve member. The latching control valve assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said permanent magnet extends longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, and said pole piece is at a first end facing said head of said valve member and is connected to said permanent magnet. Extending longitudinally between the second ends of the magnet abutting the aforesaid inner ends, the head of the valve member and the first end of the pole piece are longitudinally spaced apart from each other when the valve member is in the first position a gap, and the head of the valve member abuts the first end of the pole piece when the valve member is in the second position, so that the gap is eliminated when the valve member is in the second position. The latching control valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the spool has an inner surface defining the solenoid hole, the inner surface of the spool has female threads, and the pole piece is adjacent to the first end has male threads at a location that threadably engage the female threads of the bobbin such that relative rotation of the pole piece within the solenoid bore longitudinally displaces the pole piece, and when the valve member is in the The relative rotation in the first position changes the gap between the head portion of the valve member and the first end of the pole piece. The latching control valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the second end of the pole piece includes a tool engagement interface. The latching control valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least two electrical connectors, the at least two electrical connectors being electrically connected to the coil; and a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, the first electrical lead an electrical lead and front The second electrical lead electrically connects the aforementioned control circuit to the aforementioned two electrical connectors. The latching control valve assembly of claim 6 wherein said permanent magnet extends longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, said permanent magnet having a south pole at said inner end and a north pole at said outer end. A latch control valve assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said coil has a clockwise wound around said spool when said spool is viewed from a point located along said longitudinal axis adjacent said second housing end. winding. The latching control valve assembly of claim 8, wherein said variable value of said attractive force of said permanent magnet increases in response to said control circuit supplying a positive voltage current pulse to said first electrical lead, and wherein said The variable value of the attractive force of the permanent magnet decreases in response to the control circuit supplying a positive voltage current pulse to the second electrical lead. The latching control valve assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the variable value of the attractive force of the permanent magnet is kept constant when the coil is not supplied with current. The latch control valve assembly of claim 1 wherein said valve body extends between a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said valve body is disposed adjacent said first housing end, and said valve body The aforementioned distal end is spaced from the aforementioned first housing end. The latching control valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the valve body includes a first port, a second port and a third port, and the first end a port extending through the valve body from the valve body bore to the port face, and adjacent to the distal end of the valve body, the second port extending through the valve body from the valve body bore to the port face, the A third port extends through the valve body from the valve body bore to the port face and is adjacent to the proximal end of the valve body such that the second port is longitudinally disposed between the first port and the third port between. The latching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the first port and the third port are provided on opposite sides of the valve seat engaging member such that when the valve member is in the first position, the valve seat The engagement member contacts and seals the valve seat member to close the first port and open the third port, and such that when the valve member is in the second position, the valve seat engagement member contacts the valve seat member and closes the first port and opens the third port. The valve seat member is sealed to open the first port and close the third port. The latching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein said port face of said valve body is configured to be received in a cavity of a valve manifold such that said first port operates as an inlet port and said second port operates as an outlet port , and the aforementioned third port operates as a discharge port. The latching control valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve portion of the valve member has a first piston adjacent to the distal end of the valve body and a second piston adjacent to the proximal end of the valve body, the first piston A piston and the aforementioned second piston operate to seal the aforementioned valve body bore. The latching control valve assembly according to claim 15, wherein the above-mentioned item A piston and aforesaid second piston and aforesaid valve seat member have substantially equal diameters such that pressurized fluid acting oppositely on said aforesaid first piston and aforesaid second piston and aforesaid valve seat member results in an effect on said valve member balanced pressure. The latching control valve assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a bushing disposed within the housing, the bushing including a flange portion and a neck extending into the solenoid hole And positioned radially between the head portion of the valve member and the bobbin, wherein the biasing member is positioned longitudinally between the second piston of the valve member and the flange of the bushing. A latching control valve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said spool has an inner surface defining said solenoid hole, said head portion of said valve member has a cylindrical shape, and said head portion of said valve member is arranged to align with The aforementioned inner surface of the aforementioned bobbin is a sliding fit, and the aforementioned biasing member is a compression spring extending helically around the aforementioned head portion of the aforementioned valve member. The latch control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member is a one-piece component, in which case the head portion and the valve portion of the valve member are integrally formed with each other. The latch control valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is made of neodymium.

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